Free QuoteThe look of slate or shake — engineered to outlast both
Composite / Synthetic Roofing
The look of slate or cedar — engineered to outlast both, with 50-year warranties.
- Lifespan
- 50+ years (limited lifetime warranties)
- Range
- $28,000 – $55,000
- Warranty
- Manufacturer + 5-yr GripGo
What it is & how it works
Composite / Synthetic Roofing in plain English
Composite (synthetic) shingles look like natural slate or cedar shake but are made from engineered polymers and recycled materials. You get the premium look without the weight of slate or the maintenance headaches of real cedar — and they last significantly longer than either.
Brands like DaVinci, Brava, and CeDUR mold each tile to mimic hand-split cedar or quarried slate down to the grain and edge variation. They're 1/4 the weight of real slate, so no structural reinforcement needed, and they won't rot, split, curl, or grow moss the way natural cedar does in our climate. Impact ratings are Class 4 (the highest — big deal for hail and falling branches), and most come with 50-year limited lifetime warranties. This is the roof homeowners choose when they want cedar-shake charm without re-roofing in 20 years.
Understanding your options
Tiers, styles & what's included
Tap any tier to see exactly what's in it, what it costs relative to the others, and who it fits best.
Option 1Synthetic Slate
Synthetic Slate
Molded polymer tiles that mimic quarried slate — the look of a $100k+ roof at a fraction of the weight and cost.
- DaVinci Multi-Width Slate, Brava Old World Slate
- 50-year limited lifetime warranty
- 1/4 the weight of real slate — no structural reinforcement
- Available in blended color palettes (Weathered Grey, Slate Black, Vineyard, Aberdeen)
Option 2Synthetic Cedar Shake
Synthetic Cedar Shake
Every tile is molded from a real hand-split shake, so grain and edge variation is authentic — but it will never rot, split, or grow moss.
- DaVinci Bellaforté Shake, CeDUR Walden, Brava Cedar Shake
- 50-year manufacturer warranty
- Class A fire rating (real cedar can't match this untreated)
- Colors from Mountain, Autumn, Tahoe, Aged Cedar
Option 3Synthetic Spanish / Barrel Tile
Synthetic Spanish / Barrel Tile
The Mediterranean look without the weight of clay — great for stucco and Spanish-revival homes.
- 1/8 the weight of clay tile
- Won't crack in a freeze/thaw cycle
- Terracotta, Sunset, Charcoal palettes
- 50-year warranty
Option 4Recycled-Content Composite
Recycled-Content Composite
For homeowners prioritizing sustainability — most synthetic tiles are 25 – 100% post-consumer recycled polymer.
- Fully recyclable at end of life
- Lower embodied carbon than asphalt or metal
- Same 50-year warranties
- LEED credit eligible
Option 5System Details (Every GripGo Composite Roof)
System Details (Every GripGo Composite Roof)
Composite tiles are only as good as the underlayment and flashing under them. Here's our standard build.
- Full tear-off + deck inspection
- High-temp peel-and-stick underlayment (full coverage, not just eaves)
- Ice & water shield at valleys, walls, chimneys, and skylights
- Copper or heavy-gauge aluminum step & counter flashing
- Ridge vent hidden under matching cap tiles
- Manufacturer-certified install so the 50-year warranty is honored
The system
Anatomy of a full roof system
A roof is a stack of layers — each one has a job. Here's what goes into every one we build, in plain English.
- Ridge cap & ventLets hot air escape from the attic peak
- Shingles / tiles / shakesThe visible weather layer
- Synthetic underlaymentSecondary water barrier across the whole deck
- Ice & water shieldPeel-and-stick at eaves, valleys, and penetrations
- Roof decking (sheathing)The plywood/OSB nailing surface
- Rafters + soffit intakeStructure and fresh-air inlet that balances the ridge vent
The honest take
Advantages & things to consider
Advantages
- 50-year+ lifespan — longer than real cedar or asphalt
- Class 4 impact resistant (hail, branches, debris)
- Lightweight — no structural upgrades required
- Won't rot, split, or grow moss like real cedar
- Made from recycled materials
Things to consider
- Higher upfront cost than asphalt
- Fewer contractors trained to install correctly (we are)
Is this right for your home?
Quick fit check
What GripGo inspects
Free on-site inspection checklist
Every quote starts with a real inspection — not a driveway guess. Here's what we look at before we write a single number down.
Every field shingle, ridge cap, and starter course
Flashing at walls, chimneys, and skylights
Pipe boots and vent penetrations
Ridge vent + soffit intake balance
Attic decking for staining, sag, or moisture
Gutter seams, hangers, and downspout flow
Common questions
What Seattle homeowners ask us about composite / synthetic roofing
Are composite shingles really as good as real slate or cedar?+
Better, in every measurable way except historical authenticity. Composite lasts longer, weighs a fraction as much, resists impact and fire, and never rots or grows moss. The only reason to install real slate or cedar is if you're restoring a heritage-listed home where materials matter for provenance.
Why is composite more expensive than asphalt?+
The tiles themselves cost more, the install is more skilled (each tile is placed and fastened individually), and the warranty is 50+ years vs 30. Per year of lifespan, composite is often the cheaper roof.
Can I add composite to my existing framing?+
Almost always, yes. Composite weighs 200 – 400 lbs per square vs 800 – 1,200 for real slate. Any framing that can hold asphalt can hold composite with no reinforcement.
Do the colors fade?+
Color is molded through the entire tile (not painted on), so surface scratches and UV don't change the color the way they do on painted metal or asphalt. Most brands offer a 50-year color warranty.
Related services
Also worth a look
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
The Pacific Northwest workhorse — affordable, proven, 30+ year lifespan.
Learn more
Metal Roofing
Standing seam and metal shingle — 40 to 70+ year lifespan, energy-efficient.
Learn more
Cedar Shake Roofing
Authentic Western Red Cedar — classic PNW character with proper install.
Learn moreReady when you are
Free inspection, honest recommendation, no pressure. That's how we've done it since day one.